The announcement brings forward the original date for closure, which was the end of 2012.

An outline planning application for between 950 and 1,050 new homes was placed with Dartford Borough Council on Monday. The application is also for between 2,500 and 5,000sq m of commercial space, which could create between 80 and 150 jobs.

The move will end more than 120 years of pharmaceutical production at East Hill, Dartford.